Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program.Date of source: November 2012Processed by
Joanne Fairhurst, November 2012; finding aid encoded by Joanne Fairhurst, David M.
Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, November 2012Description is in EnglishFinding aid was prepared using DACS and local
Style GuideGuide to the William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters, 1695-1991, bulk 1800-1899David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University
Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

(C) 2012 Duke University. All
Rights Reserved.

Descriptive Summary
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke
UniversityHelfand, William,
H.William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints
and Posters 1695-1991, bulk 1800-1899Material in English and French3.0 Linear Feet34 ItemsFor current information on the location of these materials, please
consult the Library's online catalog.William Helfand is a scholar of pharmaceutical
history and art, and collector of ephemera and art related to medicine.The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters
consists of 34 prints and posters realted to the history of medicine and pharmacology,
dating from 1695 to 1991, with the bulk of the prints dating from 19th century. Paris,
France is the provenance for many of the posters, but several hail from England and the
United States. The posters are represented in two formats: lithographs and engravings, some
of which are hand colored. Ranging in size from 5"x8" to 19"x23", the prints include
caricatures, political satire, comics and advertisements, dealing with a range of subjects
from quacks, alchemy, charlatans and cheats, to pastoral and hospital scenes. George
Cruikshank and Honoré Daumier are represented amongst the artists. Acquired as part of the
History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this
collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library
Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for
research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book
& Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Copyright Notice

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University.
For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of
the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters were received by the
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a gift in 2012.

Processing Information

Processed by Joanne Fairhurst, November 2012

Encoded by Joanne Fairhurst, December 2012

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2012-0152

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory:

DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Biographical Note

William H. Helfand has a degrees in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy and was awarded degrees
of Doctor of Humane Letters and Doctor of Science. His many written works include

Pharmacy: An Illustrated History, The Picture of Health, articles on medical and
pharmaceutical prints, posters, and ephemera. In the mid-1950s, Helfand began collecting
medical prints and posters, many of which have been exhibited at the National Library of
Medicine and Philadelphia Museum of Art, amongst others. He is currently an art and medicine
consultant to the National Library of Medicine and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Collection Overview

The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters consists of 34 prints and
posters realted to the history of medicine and pharmacology, dating from 1695 to 1991, with
the bulk of the prints dating from 19th century. Paris, France is the provenance for many of
the posters, but several hail from England and the United States. The posters are
represented in two formats: lithographs and engravings, some of which are hand colored.
Ranging in size from 5"x8" to 19"x23", the prints include caricatures, political satire,
comics and advertisements, dealing with a range of subjects from quacks, alchemy, charlatans
and cheats to pastoral and hospital scenes. George Cruikshank and Honoré Daumier are
represented amongst the artists. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at
Duke University.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these
subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related
research materials.